The MOM Test
Learn how to talk to customers without collecting misleading feedback.•May 15, 2026•4 min read
The MOM Test challenges one of the biggest mistakes founders make: asking people whether their idea is good.
People Lie, Even When They Want To Help
If you ask someone whether they like your idea, they will often say yes. That feedback feels encouraging but rarely predicts real behaviour.
Talk about their life, not your idea.
Better Customer Conversations
The book encourages asking questions about past behaviour rather than future intentions.
- What are they doing today?
- What problems do they face?
- What alternatives are they using?
- What have they already paid for?
Why I Recommend It
The advice is simple but immediately useful. It helps founders avoid false validation and focus on evidence instead of opinions.
Final Thought
A single honest customer conversation is often more valuable than dozens of compliments about an idea that nobody will actually use.